We are moving to Hawaii and have a daughter that is 9 years old. Will she be accepted ? ?

Show all answers

carlmholm

Your daughter will probably do fine, coming in in 4th or 5th grade.

The state, and Maui in particular, has a high ratio of private/home schooled to publically educated children, driven by a combination of perception and reality of less than stellar public performance, and that a greater than average ratio of the parents drawn to relocate here are fruit loops. There are no local districts, the state Dept. of Education (DOE) running them all directly. The downside is that there's a big education bureaucracy (like NYC, Chicago, or LA). The upside is that funding is relatively evenly spread among the schools.

There are four major challenges the schools face: 1) some lingering plantation town psychology (why push the kids too hard when they'll all be working a cane field... or a resort, nowadays); 2) a large transient military population on Oahu; 3) a lot of ESL students; and 4) they start kids six months earlier than on the mainland.

Maui has virtually no military presence, and only Kahului School has a large number of ESL students. Like anywhere else, you're placed in a school geographically. You can apply for a geographic exemption, if the target school isn't too crowded.

State Law requires all students to meet medical examination and immunization requirements before they may attend any public or private school in Hawaii, so if inoculating your kids isn't your bag, you'll be home schooling. Hawaii 'enjoys' a direct injection of all sorts of illnesses from the Asia petri dish, hence the State takes an especially dim view of parents who play the odds. Don't.

If you've heard any rumors about schools in Hawaii, you've probably heard about "Kill A Haole Day". Forget about it. Over nearly ten years, the worst school yard joshing my blond son has heard is "I grew, you flew". KAHD and other insults to haoles were a big part of the '70s resurgence of Hawaiian culture and general non-haole ethnic assertiveness. I suspect that any current KAHD stories are a product of the enormous, transitory military population on Oahu. A transplated kid of any age who gets in the habit of saying things that suggest "you guys would be in grass huts without us" is going to have a very hard time of it.

I don't know or care if your child is Anglo, Latino, or AA, but she'll probably get a quicker start socially if there are more than a handful of handful of haoles at the school. On Maui, this won't be a problem. Once she's been there a semester, she'll probably be comfortable hanging out with everyone, a key to a pleasant childhood in the islands. If she gets through middle school and is *still* strictly sticking with "her own kind", you might as well throw in the towel.

At the Elementary level, just about any school is good, with the exception of Hana, Kahului, and Paia Elementary Schools, each of which falls short of their NCLB goals more often than not, resulting in "state takeovers" and outside consultants for the school year, but no additional funds. Yeah, that works. As an example of just how that works, for the '06-'07 school year, Hana High and Elementary were down to a four day week. The lost days are for weekly staff training, led by the consultants. For better or for worse, Hawaii opted to administer a tougher series of stadardized tests by which to measure it's NCLB benchmarks, so things may not be as bad as some may think. For 2008, the schools tested worse as a whole, because the State raised the proficiency targets.

Schools that are currently getting a lot of good press include Kihei School, Kamali'i, Pomaikai, Waihe'e, and Kula. Kamali'i School (Kihei), and Kula School have a beautiful campuses, but they're breaking in new principals, so it'll probably be a year or two until they and their staffs get used to each other.

Those schools aside, what really makes the difference isn't which school, it's your skill at getting your child matched with a good instructor, and the help you provide after school. Who are the good instructors? Join your PTA and/or volunteer at the school, worthwhile endeavors in their own right, as well as the prime source for gossip/info. Once you'll gotten the good word, gently inquire with the placement counselor about getting your kid into Ms/Mr. X's class. This will be an excellent opportunity to practice keeping your inner type-A at bay. If a DOE employee either slips or intentionally lets it spill that so-and-so can't teach their way out of a paper bag (believe me, the staff knows, but it's career-limiting to tell you), use that information, but don't tell anyone who Deep Throat is, Bernstein. Otherwise, you'll quickly discover the downside of two degrees of separation from anyone on the island.

Finally, I've found that extracurricular activities like Girl Scouts, Soccer, Little League, hula, and canoe club are *excellent* ways for your daughter (and you!) to get plugged in socially.

I agree with another poster that getting to know local foods is a plus. Stop by MinitStop or 7/11 for a taste of Spam Musubi (rice and Spam wrapped in a sheet of nori), and stop by Da Kitchen in Kihei or Kahului for things like Chow Fun, Lau Lau, Chop Steak, or Chicken Katsu.

Try to learn the street names by repeating them out loud in the car as you pass the signs. The pronunciation rules for Hawaiian are actually pretty easy to learn. It wouldn't hurt to pick up a copy of the Hawaiian Dictionary and Place Names of Hawaii (both by Mary Pukui) at Costco or a book store.

!!!

I don't believe Hawaii discriminates against 9 year olds

Sandy

Hawaiians are welcoming and friendly people. You will be fine.

saraimay75

Sadly our public school system in Hawaii are lacking. The "No Child Left Behind" bill has reduced education to standardized testing. Art and music programs have been removed. Recess and Physical education have been removed all to gain higher test scores. Unfortunately Hawaii has come in the bottom of the nation.

Hawaii is one of most culturally diverse place in America. We have several cultures here. Hawaiians being the most obvious. We also have a diverse Asian population; Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Thai, Vietnamese (sp?). All these culture differ. And it is best if you learn the differences.

If you love food Hawaii is one of the best places to be. Due to our many cultures we have many different kinds of food. Try them all.

Due to Hawaii's history there is some racism against Whites. Some can't take this. I am not implying that the Racism is right because it is not. I am half White so the racism is aimed against me. Some will tell that you can't get jobs if you are White, however this is untrue my father is White and he never had trouble getting a job. You my experience racism however you cannot let the experience color your views.

Since we have many different cultures in Hawaii there are many set of "rules" all of them slightly different. Make an effort to learn. When you make an effort to learn the the differences then you will be accepted.

Not everybody who lives in Hawaii is Hawaiian. To be Hawaiian to must have Hawaiian blood. Or be of Hawaiian ancestry. If you are like me and have lived in Hawaii all their life but have no Hawaiian blood you are considered a Local.

i am beautiful, no matter what they say

She should fit in fine and I hear that schools are great.

boomer gal

There are no guarantees, but it depends on quite a few factors.

1) The attitude with which your family, and hence your daughter, approaches life in the islands. Some people relocate here & come across with the attitude that everything was so much better wherever they came from. When people are constantly saying things like "What Hawaii really needs is ____..." or "Back in the states we...", local people tend to react poorly. Some folks who are not used to being around many people of different ethnic backgrounds just feel uncomfortable in those situations. That discomfort is telegraphed to others & it makes everyone feel uncomfortable.

2) Some neighborhoods are going to work out better than others. I would strongly recommend that you work with a realtor or a rental agent who can help you find an area that is likely to work well for you. You for sure want an area where your daughter will not be the only haole, or one of just a few.

3) How well your daughter handles new situations & meeting new people. If she is friendly & respectful of others who may be a little different from her, that goes a long way.

Re the public school system. Some areas are better than others. The elementary schools are pretty good. But middle schools don't have a swell reputation. Some high schools are OK, others not. My kids (both haole) went through public school. My son did his 8th grade year at a private school, as middle school wasn't going well. He went back to public for HS. He went to a private college on the east coast & graduated magna *** laude, so I guess the public school system did OK by him.

A few random thoughts...
Try not to get your daughter too nervous about fitting in, as that could set her up for failure. Try to model for her getting along with people of different backgrounds. Get involved with some sort of organization in your community that attracts a variety of people, could be a church, a service organization like Kiwanis, or some sort of extra-curricular activity like soccer or gymnastics. Encourage her to try new foods. A kid who turns up her nose at a Spam musubi is going to have a tougher time than one who will at least try it.

My kids grew up in Hawaii. I won't say that they never experienced any racism; that would not be true. But it wasn't all that frequent, either. They have learned to get along with people who are diffferent from them & both have close friends of many ethnic groups. They both say that Hawaii is a great place to raise kids & hope that they will be able to stay here when they start their families.

I understand what you mean...

My husband is in the USMC and we are actually getting ready to move to Oahu in about 2 weeks. Although we do not have any children, we do have some very good friends that just moved back to the states after 4 years of living in HI with two girls. The girls ages are 9 and 6. Their mother did tell me that the school system is horrible, so if you can afford it you might look into private academies. As far as the people go, I believe it is probably like most places, hit and miss depending on who you meet and where you are. I suggest you learn some of the language and study how to pronounce street names and cities. When you familiarize yourself with a place it becomes easier for you to understand and relate to others' culture, thus making it easier to fit in. (Plus it will make navigating a breeze.) Good Luck! :)

Larsa Ferrinas Solidor

They're just like normal people. I'm from Canada and I've been there and they are all the same. Like when you're walking in the mall, some people look at you and some don't.

Kyle S

when i moved here, yeah it was hard to find friends, but i think it'll be easier for a girl to fit in, especially at such a young age, than it would be if you had a boy.

word of warning though, if you guys have the whole texan accent thing going, i would really try to get rid of it, it would most definitely be an object for ridicule out here.

Leinaala

Hi! Honestly, Maui is one of the most best places to live I think. I am a 21 year old, born and raised here on Maui. I'm Hawaiian/ Filipino. I think that your daughter would fit in fine. The schools here are good. Public schools are good, of course not as great as those in the Mainland, but very awesome and dedicated teachers out here. I attended Lahainaluna (High School) as a boarder and loved it there. That is probably one of the best schools on the island. Everyone is very friendly, helpful and you learn a great deal of tradition and pride. There really aren't any "clicks" at that school. I'm sure you and your family would love it here, most people are friendly and welcoming. Just take things one thing at a time and everything will be awesome! Enjoy our beautiful island of MAUI! aloha....

cmm212

I live on Oahu..and when I moved here in my high school years, I was instantly accepted. It should probably be even easier for your 9 year old. I wouldn't worry about it..just let everything fall into place.

Ginger!

i remember going to maui a few years back, and i think it would be a great place to live. it is a little hectic in tourist spots, and i don't know about schools, but she will love it! hope that helps :)

Leroy

no, she will not be accepted, because she is white, and all the local people will look at her as a white demon ghost child

Milo the Meerkat

i have a friend in hawaii ...... want me to ask for u :S

bob k

I don't know, I live in Florida. I was in Maui in 79. Didn't like it then, so it's probably far worse now. Move to Florida, but don't bring your friends. We have enough people living here.

>^..^<

no, you , she haole

Nick

well first of all that's sick
and knowing kids these days probably not but she is only nine so maybe

mxxoxoxo

Just keep a eye on her since Hawaii is full of pedophiles.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: